<p>So basically, taking the ballet class will reduce her weighted GPA. </p>
<p>This kind of thing hurt many of my D1’s friends. Our school has since changed the system to not rank at all and not weight GPAs. However, the school profile indicates the ranges for top 10, 25 and 50%. Therefore, the lack of weighting might hurt D2 who has also taken all honors and APs, but had lower grades in the AP classes. This was not a factor on D2’s decision on which classes to take though, but might cause her to not get into our state’s honors college should she choose to go there. </p>
<p>This is why so many schools are coming up with weighting systems that do not allow this to happen (no more than 5 weighted classes, must take at least 6), or are getting rid of ranking altogether. </p>
<p>In general, I think she should do what she loves. </p>
<p>However, I think you have to do some math here to get all of the facts. If you live in a place like Texas where only the top 10% get to go to the state flagship, then it sucks that it matters, but it does matter. </p>
<ol>
<li>What exactly is the weighting system</li>
<li>How many points will this knock off her 3-yr GPA. If they add 0.5 to a weighted grade, it will likely only hurt by 0.03, whereas if they add 1, it will deduct 0.06 (assuming 18 courses over 3 years).<br></li>
<li>Can (she do/you afford) that she do advanced ballet privately? She can have her cake and eat it to. </li>
<li>How hard is it really to do AP Chem and Honors Physics at the same time. Bombing one of them would defeat the purpose of trying to do this. </li>
<li>Is there a weighted class that’s easier than Honors Physics like AP Psych. </li>
</ol>
<p>I have two different kids, one of whom would have cared more about the weighting and would have done it the harder way, and the other would care more about her sanity and do the ballet. I think the best you can do is get educated about the facts and let her decide.</p>